Free for subscribers. Our 19-page, printable first-year guide for U.S. dog owners, built from the DogRoute 109 Library and checked against guidance from the AKC, AVMA, AAHA, VCA, FDA and CDC.
Bonus: subscribers also get our 15-page Travel & Safety Gear Guide. You’ll also get dated, source-checked updates on dog safety alerts, rule changes and dog events. Unsubscribe from any email with one click. See our Privacy Policy.
What’s inside
- Choosing the right dog: size, energy and coat compared, plus questions to ask a shelter or breeder
- Your first-year budget: typical U.S. cost ranges and where to save safely
- A safe home: room-by-room puppy-proofing and a day-one shopping list
- The vet calendar: the puppy vaccine timeline, core vs. non-core, and what it costs
- Weekly body checks: body condition score, teeth, ears, nails and skin
- Food, treats and recalls: reading the bag, training treats, and how to check a recall in five minutes
- Training foundations: potty schedule, crate sizing, sit-stay-come, leash walking, leave it and recall
- Common problems: jumping, barking, chewing, separation anxiety and fear of fireworks
- Seasons and travel, senior years, emergencies
- Printable worksheets: budget tracker, vaccine log, body check log, senior log and a road-trip checklist
General information for dog owners, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your own dog.